We have had a few days of hot sunshine, such a balm for the spirits. I've wandered through my rain ravaged garden, despaired at the ruination of the roses, the jungle of bindweed and found that my lavender bushes have endeavoured to persevere. I wish I had the time to do all the home maker crafts my ma and grandma did so lovingly. On a chosen morning before the sun got high in the sky a table cloth would be spread out in the shade, the cool cream and white ceramic mixing bowls would be set out and the air would fill with he scent of fresh lavender. Our thumbnails turning green as we riffled them down the stems to remove the flower heads.Once harvested the bowls would be left to air and the contents to gently dry, while busy hands turned tired household linens and scraps of dressmaking fabrics into little sachets.
When I grew up and finally had my own garden a very dear friend brought me ten lavender plants. As Sally Owens says 'There are some things I know for certain, always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck... and fall in love whenever you can'. More of rosemary another day.
Here's how it's done:
 |
| Gather lengths of ribbon, 1 meter or more. |
 |
| Harvest lavender. Bind stalks into bunches of an odd number. |
 |
| Allow to wilt, then bend the stalks over, a gentle twist prevents stalks from snapping. |
 |
| Wrap the ribbon end to cover the binding thread then, bring it through between two stalks |
 |
| Weave the ribbon over and under the stalks to hide the flower section. |
 |
| With all the stalks drawn together, wrap the ribbon around the stalks. |
 |
| With the stalks wrapped, trim the ribbon. Cut two tails to knot the ribbon in place. |
 |
| Cover the knot with a bow of ribbon scrap |
 |
| Snip the stalk ends to tidy them. Make lots more! |
